ive noticed some on ebay "with arrows" and "without arrows." it may be painfully obvious, but im trying to find out "what arrows." lol.
I'm not sure what your question is. They made both that year, some with and some without. The arrows are on either side of the date.
Here are some pics. This is one without arrows: http://www.coinfacts.com/dimes/seated_liberty_dimes/1873cc_no arrows_dime.htm And the one with arrows: http://www.coinfacts.com/dimes/seated_liberty_dimes/1873_dime_with_arrows.htm Just like what Walterallen said, look at the date. Hope this helps. Phoenix
The mint adjusted the weight of the coin that year; I think they contained less silver. They put the arrows at date to call attention to the lower intrinsic value. Same deal in 1853 - again, I think they lowered the weight, but I can't recall. Same on quarters and halves.
Correct. In 1873 they ended the free coinage of silver (Until that point anyone could bring silver to the mint and have it turned into coins are no charge.) and reduced the weight of the dime, quarter, and half dollar slightly making them subsidiary to the silver dollar. At the same time the minor silver coinage had their legal tender status restricted to amounts no greater than five dollars.
